Universal actigraphic device and method of use therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an actigraphic device based on a universal actigraphic platform. Parameters from a plurality of sensors are acquired and correlated for determining a profile of use of the device. The device may be installed on a vehicle, for example a powered wheelchair, or be worn by a user. Two or more devices may form a network of communicating devices worn by a user. A method of using the actigraphic device for acquiring a profile of use is also provided.

1 . An actigraphic device, comprising:
 a motion sensor for detecting a parameter related to a movement of the device;   an environment sensor for detecting a parameter related to an environment of device;   a processor for determining a profile of use of the device by correlating the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device; and   a memory for recording the profile of use.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is mounted on a vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a wheelchair, a mobile robot and an automobile. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , comprising:
 a user behavior sensor for detecting a behavioral parameter of a user of the device;   wherein the processor is further for correlating the behavioral parameter with the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the user behavior sensor is selected from the group consisting of a joystick, a pedal, an actuator, a steering wheel, a force sensing resistor and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the environment sensor is selected from the group consisting of a sonar, a camera, an accelerometer, a GPS receiver, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a voice activity detector, and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the motion sensor is selected from the group consisting of a GPS receiver, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a post-processor for determining a user profile for a user of the device based on instances of the profile of use collected over time.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter related to an environment of the device is for indicating a location of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a fusion process for mitigating random variations in the detected parameters.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a communication port for outputting the profile of use, the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the communication port is adapted for wireless communication use.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a communication port for inputting an external sensor parameter;   wherein the processor is further for correlating the external sensor parameter with the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the parameter related to the movement of the device is determined in a three-dimensional space.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biometric sensor for detecting a physical parameter of a user;   wherein the processor is further for correlating the physical parameter with the parameter related, to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is wearable by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the device is adapted for forming a network with at least another actigraphic device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the network comprises:
 a first actigraphic device comprising an output port for outputting a first profile of use, and   a second actigraphic device comprising an input port for receiving the first profile of use,   wherein the second actigraphic device is further for producing a second profile of use, and   wherein a processor of the second actigraphic device is for determining a combined profile of use by correlating the first profile of use and the second profile of use.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first and second actigraphic devices are for communicating via a wired link.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first and second actigraphic devices are for communicating via a wireless link.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first and second actigraphic devices are for positioning on two distinct body segments of the user.   
     
     
         22 . A method of acquiring a profile of use of an actigraphic device, comprising:
 detecting a parameter related to a movement of the device;   detecting a parameter related to an environment of the device;   determining the profile of use of the device by correlating the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device; and   storing the profile of use in a memory.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 receiving data from an external sensor at the device;   correlating the received data with the parameter related to the movement of the device and the parameter related to the environment of the device.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein:
 at least one of the parameters is detected by an element selected from the group consisting of a GPS receiver, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 outputting the profile of use towards a post-processing device.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising:
 determining a user profile of a user of the device based on instances of the profile of use collected over time.